Tourism stakeholders are optimistic that more cruise liners
will arrive at the Mombasa port
in the next season, which begins in September.
The current season started in September 2017 and will end this March.
During the period,
4,747 high-end tourists arrived through the Indian Ocean.
"Since the start, a total of six cruise vessels have docked at the port with international guests from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and other nationalities,"
Kenya Ports Authority Head of Corporate Communication Bernard Osero said.
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On Thursday, MS Isgnia docked at the port with 1,066 tourists - 680 passengers and 386 crew members - heading from Zanzibar to Seychelles.
Osero said this season has been the best in the recent years.
“The number of cruise tourists has grown this year, which is a good sign for the tourism sector,” he said during the reception of MS Isignia.
KPA management is working round the clock to finish the construction of the Sh450 million world-class cruise ship terminal at Berth number one.
It will have modern security features, an immigration centre, a hotel and accommodation facility and other social amenities.
Osero said they are sure the terminal, which allows simultaneous berthing of two Oasis-class cruise ship (the world's largest passenger ships),
will be completed by July.
Sam Ikwaye, who is Coast Executive Director of the
Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers,
told The Star that the arrival of six cruise ships was a sign of confidence in the destination.
“When cruise liners come to your destination, they bring two things - high-end tourists who spend good money and endorsements," he said.
“We are now asking KPA and Mombasa County to put up supporting infrastructure. We need good roads and a cleaner city."
Rabia Salim,
Mombasa's Tourism Department Chief Officer, said they were excited about the developments and will continue supporting cruise ship tourism.
“We are happy to receive more vessels. This is proof that Mombasa is getting good publicity. We will work with all stakeholders to promote our destination."
On January 29, MS Silver Sprit docked at the Port of Mombasa with 496 passengers and 394 crew members.
This was its second time in the county, the first visit having been on December 21, 2017 when it arrived with 472 tourists and 365 crew.
Other cruise ships that have docked at the port
this season include the Omani luxury cruise ship, christened Fulk Al Salamah (ship of peace), which arrived on October with 350 passengers.
On January 4, Norwegian vessel MS Nautica made its second call at the port with 962 passengers on their way from Zanzibar to Seychelles.
MS Nautica was first in the country on November 25, with 642 passengers from the Marshall Islands in the North Pacific Ocean to Zanzibar.
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